New grades of up to 5,791ppm TREO have been returned at the Cascade Project in Western Australia including high value magnet rare earths of up to 45% of TREO grade.

Assays covering 1,143km2 have been returned, demonstrating shallow, high-value mineralisation of up to 29m thick within the saprolitic clays.

This highlights the remarkable scale of the mineralisation at Cascade, where the northern and central blocks (totalling 925km2) comprise surface samples grading up to 633ppm TREO taken from the depleted surface zone.

Latest hits include 16m at 2,223ppm TREO,  19m at 1,350ppm TREO, 12m at 1,215ppm TREO and 8m at 1,086ppm TREO.

Meeka Gold (ASX:MEK) CEO Tim Davidson said excitingly, the clay horizon within the northern and central blocks which comprise the other half of Cascade have never been drilled, yet surface samples from the depleted zone display grades up to 633ppm TREO.

Shaping up to be something ‘significant’

“The potential for significant zones of clay hosted rare earth mineralisation below these high-grade surface samples is considerable,” Davidson says.

“Planning is now underway to expedite the northern and central block drilling.

“We have also fast-tracked metallurgical test work at ANSTO to understand the process for producing a commercial product.

“Given the tier-1 location, the geopolitically critical nature of the metals and high level of permanent magnet elements present, Cascade is shaping up to be significant.”

What’s next?

While Cascade at 2,068km2 represents a potentially large scale, high-grade rare earths project, MEK’s plans to accelerate the project include:

  • Detail a forward activity plan targeting the highest value (high heavy and magnet REO content) zones of mineralisation, targeted for June 2022;
  • Lodge applications for regulatory approval of drilling activities, anticipated for June 2022);
  • Receive initial metallurgical test work results from ANSTO in July, and;
  • Begin drilling at Cascade – northern and central blocks during September.

 

 

 

 

This article was developed in collaboration with Meeka Gold, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

 

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.